Was scheduled to address people at Handwara
Srinagar: Senior Huriyat Conference JK leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was arrested on Sunday while on a way to address people at North Kashmir’s Handwara area.
The HCJK spokesman in a party handout issued to KNS stated that as per program Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was scheduled to address a public gathering at Kralgund Handwara. As Shah was on way to the venue, he was prevented by police at Pattan from marching ahead and was arrested.
The spokesperson while condemning the arrest of Shabir Ahmad Shah lashed out at administration and termed the act as autocratic and dictatorial. “Those who claim to be the champions of democracy have no right to resort to undemocratic means and keep their political opponents away from political sphere,” he said, adding that the so-called government cannot break the resolve of freedom loving people by such means.
He said Shabir Ahmad Shah was to address the public gathering at Kralgund, Handwara and had to appeal people to stay away from upcoming assembly elections so as not to let the sacrifices of those 5 lac martyrs go waste who laid their precious lives for the freedom against the forcible occupation of India. According to spokesperson, the Freedom Party representatives of Handwara had made full arrangements for Shabir Ahmad Shah’s speech but got extremely disappointed as the so-called rulers arrested Shah on way.
However, Muhammad Yasin Ataai along with other companions by giving slip to police succeeded in reaching the venue. Ataai along with Peer Inaayat ullah and Abdul Waheed who were already present there addressed the gathering. In their speeches, the leaders urged people to give a befitting reply to such highhandedness of government by completely boycotting the upcoming assembly elections. “This was the message of Shabir Ahmad Shah Sahib to you,” the leaders said while addressing the public gathering.